the west, and partly north and south, it commands a view of Blue ridge, which stretches away one hundred and fifty miles; while on the east is seen a boundless plain. At different points rise several mountains of various forms and sizes, among which one of the most conspicuous and interesting is Willis' moun tain in the south. and Edmund Pendleton, sent to the former a request that they would do nothing until congress should decide on some general plan of defence. The assembly then held a council, consisting of more than one hundred members, who adopted, by a majority of only one, a resolution to disperse for the present, and draughted an address, in which they "firmly resolved to resist all attempts against their rights and privileges, from whatever quarter they might be assailed;" and firmly pledged themselves "to reassemble, and, by force of arms, to defend the laws, the liberties, and the rights, of this or any sister colony, from unjust and wicked invasion. God save the liberties of America!" The approach to the house affords glimpses of this fine scene; and the spacious hall at the entrance was ornamented with objects of taste, arranged in an appropriate manner to gratify the eye. Mr. Wirt, in his description of the place, mentions that Jefferson had placed various specimens of sculpture in that hall, in such order as to mark the progress of the art from the rudest to the most perfect state: at the end being seen his own statue by Carracci. On other sides were displayed Indian remains, petrified bones, the horns of deer, &c. The grand saloon, in which the visiter is next ushered, is appropriated as a picture-gallery, and contains a great number of valuable productions The governor issued a proclamation of the pencil and the graver, comprising many historical events and distinguished men of all ages. The windows command charming views of the extensive scene below. Patrick Henry, however, at the head of the volunteers of Hanover, marched from Doncaster to recover the powder, and, being joined by numbers from the counties of King William and New Kent, obtained ample compensation from Corbin, the king's receiver-general, and then returning dismissed the troops. against him two days after; but he left. the state, about the same time, to attend the meeting of the continental congress, while a band of insurgents seized the arms in the magazine. Committees of safety were soon formed in the counties of Virginia, and "minute-men" were raised, who, as John Randolph, of Roanoke, afterward remarked, with characteristic humor, were raised in a minute, marched in a minute, and defeated in a minute. In September, 1774, the meeting of delegates was held in Philadelphia. The disaffections continued between the governor and the people, but they joined in an expedition against the Indians in western Virginia, who had assumed a hostile attitude, as was suspected, by the intrigues of the governor. On the 20th of April, 1775, he was so bold as secretly to remove the gunpowder from the colonial magazine, at Williamsburg, to Yorktown, where it was stowed in a British vessel. The people took up arms; but the governor threatened, in case of any resistance, to proclaim liberty to the slaves, and set the town on fire. Six hundred men were soon assembled at Fredericksburg to protect Governor Dunmore convened the asit, and to oppose any rash measure, sembly on the 1st of June, and made an while thousands prepared, throughout address, in consequence of which the the colony, to render their aid if neces- house of burgesses had a correspondence sary. At this crisis, the two leading with him, defending the rights of the patriots of the time, Peyton Randolph colonies. He took refuge on board the Among the acts of the governor which fomented discord, was his sending for aid to the commander of the Fowey ship-of-war, off Yorktown, while Patrick Henry was on his march; in consequence of which forty marines and sailors were stationed at Williamsburg about ten days, while the ship threatened to fire upon Yorktown in case they should be molested. Fowey, on the 8th, with his family, un-¡ falls (opened in 1794), at we which boats der pretext that they were not safe on navigate the river two hundred and shore; and refused to sign any bills, un- twenty miles. A canal affords navigaless the assembly would meet him under tion also to Lynchburg, one hundred cover of the guns. He was then, by a and sixteen miles. resolution, declared to have abdicated his office, and the president of the council proceeded to act in his place. Near the end of the month the vessel sailed down the river: and thus closed the royal government of Virginia. Delegates soon after met in Richmond, to form a provisional government; and a description of this beautiful town, now large and important, may be here introduced, as it began to rise into consequence at about this period of its his tory. RICHMOND.—This is the capital and principal town of the state, the capital of Henrico county, and a port of entry, standing at the foot of the lower falls on James river, 117 miles from Washington, 342 from New York, 557 from Boston, 520 from Cincinnati, 423 from Charleston, 62 from Fredericksburg, 106 from Norfolk, 146 from Winchester, and 23 from Petersburg. The spot on which this large and fine city stands was first visited by white men in 1609, when "Master West" penetrated to the falls in search of provisions for the young colony at Jamestown, but found nothing edible except acorns. He however began a settlement near the place the same year, with one hundred and twenty men. Smith attempted a settlement at "Nonsuch," but failed. Fort Charles was erected at the Falls in 1644–’5; and in 1646 the assembly offered extraordinary inducements to encourage a settlement on the south side of the river, opposite the fort. The situation is healthy and pleasant; and the city has a pleasing appearance from several points of view, especially that from which it is represented in the cut. It is generally well built, and the streets cross at right angles. Richmond hill and Shockoe hill, rising from the opposite side of Shockoe creek, vary the surface of the ground, the town being situated between them, and up both acclivities. The latter eminence affords fine situations for dwellings, and is the favorite quarter, containing many handsome houses; while on its summit stands the state capitol, surrounded by a spacious square of eight acres, enclosed with an iron fence. The city-hall, opposite, is a fine edifice in Grecian style; and among the other public buildings are three banks, two insurance offices, the armory, theatre, female asylum, penitentiary, thirteen academies and higher schools, the free Lancasterian school, and twentythree churches. The water-works, by which the city is supplied, raise the water, by hydraulic power, into three reservoirs, each containing a million of gallons, and from these lead off to all parts of the city. The Medical College is a department of Hampden Sidney college, and has a building in the Egyptian style. It has a dean and five members of the faculty. Richmond College, a baptist institution, is one mile west of the city, and contains about one hundred students. St. Vincent's College, a Roman catholic institution, is situated one mile east of the city, and has about fifty students. Richmond was founded in 1742, and made the state capital in 1780, since which it has steadily increased. The Richmond presents many varying aspopulation in 1800 was 5,737; in 1810, pects, from different points of the undu9,785; in 1820, 12,067; in 1830, 16,060;lating surface above the banks of the in 1840, 20,153; in 1850, 27,483. The creek. The falls, extending more than city is situated at the head of tidewater, six miles, give liveliness to the waterand vessels drawing ten feet of water can come up to within one mile of the centre of the city, and those drawing fifteen feet to within three miles. A canal with locks extends around the scene; while the islands which lie upon the surface and the two bridges, which cross it, to connect the town with Manchester on the opposite shore, offer a constant and pleasing variety. The c'ty piot now covers about taree and a half square miles, being seven and a half miles long; but only a small portion of this is thickly covered with buildings. A spot near the centre of the business part of the city is occupied by the basin of the canal. The State Penitentiary, in the western,suburbs, is in the form of a hollow square, three hundred feet by one hundred and ten, with several acres of ground attached. The Armory contains a considerable supply of arms, and is three hundred and eighty feet by three hundred and twenty. within the limits of the state. James river is seen, after flowing down the long falls and rapids which interrupt its course above the city, spreading wide its smooth surface, to float the boats, vessels, and steamboats, which ever enliven its course between this point and its mouth; while the two beautiful bridges which cross the stream and connect the opposite shores, afford passages from side to side. The important figure which the capitol makes in the preceding general view of Richmond, gives a just idea of its importance, as a principal feature in the aspect of the city from many different points of view. Crowning the summit of the principal eminence, and rising far above the crowded city, it forms an appropriate and elegant trait to a scene otherwise possessing many beauties. Manufactures are carried on to a considerable extent, by water-power obtained at the falls. Within two or three years, cotton mills have been erected and are in profitable employment. Richmond has many facilities for this species. The Statue of Washington.--This inof industry, which must ultimately be- teresting piece of sculpture, the work come advantageous to the whole neigh- of a distinguished French artist of the borhood. The total amount of capital | last century, stands in the area of the invested in manufactures in Richmond is about two millions of dollars. Richmond is a great commercial dépôt, having an extensive back country abounding in tobacco, wheat, hemp, and coal, which is reached by the James river canal and branches. The flouring mills of Richmond have a world-wide celebrity. The Capitol.-This fine and chaste edifice occupies a lofty and commanding position on the summit of Shockoe hill, in the midst of the spacious public square before described. The front is ornamented with an Ionic portico, with lofty columns; and the effect of the building, from its elegant front, is very fine, when seen from the neighboring points of view. The building contains the halls of the senate and house of delegates, with numerous rooms for officers, committees, &c.; and here assemble the legislators of this great and influential state, to deliberate on the interests of its various sections. From different parts of the capitol, as well as from the neighboring grounds, are presented many fine views over the surrounding country, and the city and river below; and the scene is the most imposing one of the kind to be found capitol. It was made by Houdon, in Paris, a few years after the Revolution, at the order of the Virginia assembly, and under the direction of Jefferson. Washington is represented in the military costume of the country at the time, covered with a cloak, while one hand holds a cane, and the other the fasces; and on the pedestal is the following inscription, written by Mr. Madison: "George Washington. The General Assembly statue to be erected, as a monument of affection and of the Commonwealth of Virginia have caused this gratitude, to George Washington, who, uniting to the endowments of the hero the virtues of the patriot, and exerting both in establishing the liberties of his country, has rendered his name dear to his fellowcitizens, and given the world an immortal example sand seven hundred and eighty-eight, in the year of Done in the year of Christ one thouof true glory. the Commonwealth the twelfth. The Bust of La Fayette.-This handsome specimen of sculpture is appropriately placed near the statue of Wash ington. The Monumental Church.-This edifice was erected in commemoration of the calamitous destruction, in 1811, of a theatre which stood on the same spot. About six hundred persons were assembled in the theatre on the fatal evening, when, at the conclusion of the play, the scenery accidentally caught fire, and a |